Automatic water softener



Feb. 23, 1932. 5. cs. HARWOOD ET AL 1,346,418

AUTOMATIC WATER SOFTENER Filed Jan. 3. 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 23, 1932. s. G. HARWOOD ET AL $845,413

AUTOMATIC WATER SOFTENER Filed Jan. 3. 1927 3 Shoots-Sheet 2 Feb. 23, 1932. s. G. HARWOOD ET AL 1,346,418

AUTOMATIC WATER SOFTENEH Filed Jan. 5. 1927 s Shoots-Sheet 3 82 M91 7& M n 80 Patented Feb... 23, 193i -UTTED STATES PATENT, OFFICE STANLEY G. HARWOOD AND DONALD GRISWOLD, 0F ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNORS 1'0 WARD-LOVE PUMP CORPORATION, OF ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS AUTOMATIC WATER sorrnun'n Application filed January 3, 1927. SeriaI No. 158,458.

This invention relates to base-exchange Water softeners and more particularly those designed for automatic operation.

The principal object of our invention is to provide in a self-contained unit, a water softener and its accessory brine tank, together with the controlling valve mechanism therefor and its operating mechanism and meter, the construction and arrangement making possible such compactness that the single unit is only slightly larger than either one of the separate units heretofore required, namely the water softener unit and the brine tank unit. This feature, while generally of considerable advantage, is of particular importance where the softener is intendedfifor household installation, in which case. it is usually desired to conserve space as much as possible and the available space is frequently limited.

Another important object related to the above object is to form the brine tankof cast iron integral with the softener tank. A brine tank so constructed will last a lifetime, whereas the ordinary sheet metal brine tanks have had to be replaced at intervals of three or four years at considerable expense, inconvenience, and annoyance to the user. Incidental to the matter of making the double compartment unit in a casting, may also be mentioned the advantageof its permitting the coring of passages to conduct the water or brine in softening and regeneration so that unsightly pipe connections on the exterior of the softener may be eliminated, thus enhancing the appearance of the unit to a considerable entent.

Still another object is to mount the valve mechanism with its operating mechanism and meter over the softener compartment so that it is convenient to extend the pipe connections from the valve mechanism to the softener and brine tank compartments and the unit becomes much more symmetrical in form especially when the mechanism referred to is enclosed under a hood for a neat and trim appearance.

()ur invention embraces still further objects and advantages having reference to more or less special details as, for example,

the mechanism in stalled in the brine tank compartment which is mounted therein in an especially novel and advantageous manner permitting ease in assembling or disassembling; the means for securing and 'support ing the distributing diaphragm in the base of the softener compartment which makes for simplicity in. construction and likewise easy assembling and diassembling; and the construction and manner of mounting the outlet strainer in the softener compartment which permits the easy removal thereof for cleanmg, inspection or repair. All of the foregoing objects-and advantages are fully discussed in the following detailed description which has reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a central, vertical section through a water softener constructed in accordance with our invention, all of the mechanism mounted over the softener compartment being shown in side elevation;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 and looking down upon the mechanism over the softener compartment and the mechanism in the brine tank compartment;

Fig. 3 is another horizontal section taken on the line 3--3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional detail taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3 serving to show the cored passage affording communication with the bottom of the softener compartment;

Fig. 5 is a transverse, vertical section through the brine tank compartment taken on the line 55 of Figs. 1 and 3 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section through the outlet strainer taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 7 is a transverse section through thestrainer taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 6.

The same reference numerals are applied to corresponding parts throughout the views. The softener of the present inventioncomprises a softener and brine tank with its appurtenant controlling valve mechanism, the operating mechanism therefor and the appears in Fig. 1.

the softener compartment is made possible meter for measuring the flow of water, all built into a single self-contained unit of the symmetrical form and appearance most clearly evident in Figs. 1 and 2. The softener compartment 10 and the brine tank compartment 1,1 'are provided in a single integral casting provided preferably with integrally cast supporting legs 9. The initial cost of the unit so constructed is not appreciably different from the cost involved where separate tanks are used and the advantage derived is that the cast iron brine tank, or salt pot, as it is sometimes called, will last a lifetime whereas the ordinary tank of sheet metal construction soon disintegrates under the action of the brine'and it is not at all uncommon to have to replace the same after a period of three or four years of ordinary service. This, of course, means considerable expense, not only for the replacement of the article, but for its installation as well, and the user is put to great inconvenience and annoyance. The softener compartment, it will be noted, is appreciably smaller than the brine tank compartment and the latter extends considerably above it, as most clearly The reduction in size of mainly by reason of the fact that the mineral of the bed 12 is provided of an especially fine texture so that the same contact area is afforded in a much smaller mineral bed than has heretofore been required for a softener of a given capacity. Cutting down the height of the softener compartment makes it possible to mount the valve mechanism 13, its

operating mechanism 14, and meter 15 all above the softener compartment Without bringing any of the mechanism above the height of the brine tank compartment, thus preserving the desired balanced proportions and producing a symmetrical appearance, especially when the mechanism referred to is enclosed by a protecting hood 16. The latter, as most, clearly appears in Fig. 2, is the same in form as the upper part of the brine tank compartment and when the hood is in place, the unit fiesents a neat, trim appearance. At the same time, all of the mechanism is protected, is not apt to be tampered with by unskilled persons, and will not become covered with dust, dirt or dbris. valve mechanism 13 is covered in our Patent No. 1,593,300, issued July 20, 1926, and will not, therefore, require a detailed description and the same is true of the valve operating mechanism 1 1 which forms the subject matter of our copending application, Serial No. 123.400, filed July 19, 1926.

The mechanism just referred to is carried on a cover plate 17 bolted over the open top of the softener'compartment 10, as indicated at 18. Posts 19 projecting from the cover plate 17 serve to support'the valve operating mechanism 1 1 which is encased in an oil tight The box 20 beneath a cover plate 21. The mechanism 14 is operated at predetermined intervals by an electric motor 22 to shift the valve 13 Whenever the circuit is completed through the motor by the closing of a switch at 23, as fully set forth in our copending, application above referred to. Wires extending from a source of-electric current supply are led in to the mechanism above the softener compartment through a conduit 24L which has a branch 25 extending from the T 26 to the switch 23 so that enclosed wire connections may be made with the switch. The wires, shown at 27, lead to the motor 22. The meter 15 is suitably supported on the cover plate 21 alongside the valve 13. \Vhile a description of the operation of the softener will be deferred until the construction thereof has been more fully set forth, it may be Well at this point to identify the various pipes leading to and from the valve 13. The hard water supplied from the water mains enters the softener through the pipe 28, passing through the meter 15 and a connection 29 for passage through the valve 13 in any one of three different directions depending on the position of the valve. In normal operation, the hard water is directed through the pipe connection 30 to the bottom of the softener compartment and is discharged from the softener compartment through the pipe con- 13 into the pipe connection 31, which leads to thetop of the softener compartment, as stated before. The brine is thus passed through the bed of softening material and is eventually discharged as waste water through the pipe connection 30, which communicates by Way of the valve 13 with the waste pipe 35 leading to the sewer or some other suitable Waste water receptacle. Following the rcgeneration, the valve 13 is shifted to still another position for what is known as the back wash or flushing operation. In this operation the incoming hard water is conducted to the bottom of the softener com partment through the pipe connection 30. Vaste water is discharged from the top of the softener compartment through the pipe connection 31 and is conducted throu h the valve ill of and at about the same elevation, as the plumber installing the softener is not required to make pipe connections at awkward places and simple instructions will sufiice'for his purposes. Tn passingy attention may be called to the indicator at 87, the position of adjustment of which determines the length of the capacity run of the softener. This indicator is set according to the hardness of the water to be softened as fully described in our copending application.

The softener compartment has a sediment chamber 38 in the bottom thereof, the top of which is defined by an annular rim 39 cast integral with the side walls 40 of the softener compartment. A. passageway 41 eX- tending from top to bottom of the softener compartment is cored in the casting between the softener and brine tank compartments as most clearly appears in 3, the pas sageway being in communication with the chamber 38 at its lower end and having the pipe connection 30 leading into its upper end, as most clearly appears in Fig. 4. Thus the casting of the softener and brinetank compartments in a double compartment unit has Jill made this way possible of eliminating external pipe connectons communicating with the lower end of the softener compartment and obviously the appearance of the unit is greatly enhanced. A plug 42 closing an opening at the lower end of the passageway 41, necessitated in the coring of the pa ssageway, permits the draining of the sediment chamber 38 and of the entire softener compartment whenever desired.

The mineral 12in the softener compartment is supported on a diaphragm 43 of filter cloth, preferably of the characteristics of that described and claimed in Sweeney Patent No. 1,557,117, issued October 13, 1925, so as to afford uniform distribution of the water, flow throughout the cross-sectional area of the bed. The diaphragm in the present case is arranged to be clamped in place between two grids or plates 44 and 45 by a single bolt or stud 46. The diaphragm overlies the rim 39 and has suitable gaskets, indicated at 47, above and beneath the same to prevent leaks age of the incoming water about the diaphragm, and also has gaskets at 48 for a similar purpose. The stud'46 threads into a plug 49 mounted in a central opening 50 in the bottom wall of the chamber 38, which is necessitated in the coring of the softener compartment. The stud 46 has ,the bottom threads thereof extended for threaded "reception in the hub of the grid 45, as at 51. sembling the distributor diaphragm in the softener, the grid 45 is adjusted on the stud '46 to a position where'the top face thereof is approximately in the same horizontal plane as the top face of the rim-'39, then the diaphragm is placed over the grid and the other grid 44 is dropped down over the stud 46 and a nut 52 is threaded'onto the stud to fasten the grid 44 in place. Thus the diaphragm is tightly clampedabout the edges thereof between the rim 39 and the rim of the grid 44 and at the center between the hubs of the two grids, while the arms of the two grids serve to sustain the intermediate span of diaphragm against buckling under the pressure of the water flow therethrough. It will thus appear that we have provided a very simple and practical mounting for the diaphragm facilitating the assembling or disassembling of the softener to a considerable extent.

Our softener, as indicated above, operates with upward flow and, for this reason, the softener compartment requires an outlet strainer 53 because of the little head space allowed for above the mineral bed. This strainer is, furthermore, necessitated by reason of the fine grain ofthe mineral used. The strainer 53 is preferably cylindrical in form, as most clearly appears in Figs. 6 and 7 and is removably mounted in the wall of the softener compartment by means of the bushing 54 which, as will presently appear, forms an integral part of the reinforcing framework of the strainer. The bushing 54 communicates with the inside of a hollow boss 55 cast integral with the side wall 40 of the softener compartment. The pipe 31, previously referred to, leads into the hollow boss'and thus communicates by way of the strainer 53 with the upper end of the softener-compartment.

A plug' 56 is removably threaded in an open ing in the boss 55 to afford access to the bushing 54 whenever it is desired to remove the.

strainer for cleaning, inspection, or repair. Any sediment which may have "collected in the boss 55 may also be cleared out'at the same time. While any suitable 0r preferred construction may be employed, we prefer to have the strainer 53 constructed as shown in Figs. 6 and 7 As shown in these figures, the bushing 54 has a skeleton framework 57 formed In asl integral therewith arranged toextend inside the screen the length thereof and maintain its cylindrical form. The longitudinal rods 58 comprising the skeleton frame 57 are preferably-formed of the cross-sections appearing inFig. 7, which facilitates the matter of casting the same, and are joined at intervals by;

cross webs 59 to reinforce the frame at various points along thelength thereof. An end wall 60, provided with a'central threaded "wall 68, in conformity with the rest of the fastened in place. A similar annular recess 66 is provided in the form of an annular groove in the bushing 54. The ends of the strainer 53 are received in the annular recesses and 66 and these recesses are then filled with Babbitt metal to seal the strainer in place. This manner of fastening the ends of the screen coupled up with the. soldering along a lengthwise seam, as at 67, provides a rigid fastening for the screen and, at the same time, permits the easy removal and replace ment thereof, if that ever becomes necessary. It will be obvious, that while the construction described is preferred, the invention is in no way limited to the use of this particular construction. The brine tank compartment 11 is constructed generally along the lines of the brine tank described and claimed in a copending application of O. R. Sweeney Serial No. 134,342, filed September 9, 1926, now issued as Patent No. 1,693,829 of December 4, 1928 and accordingly no claim is made in this case in the general features of this portion of the softener as disclosed by Sweeney. However, the particular structural features which are herein incorporated to adapt this type of brine tank to the present softener, and which facilitate the matters of assembling and disassembling, constitute an important phase of our invention. The compartment 11, in agreement with the disclosure ranged to be closed by a cast plate 74 having a depending rim arranged to enter the e in the application referred to, is divided by a partition wall 68 into an upper salt chamber 69 and a lower brine chamber 70. The

present construction, is cast integral with the side walls of the brine tank compartment. A plug 71 is threaded in an opening 72 in thebottom wall of the brine chamber 70 which is necessitated-in the coring of the latter chamber. provided in the partition wall 68 and is ar;

opening 73 and thereby locate the plate. A gasket 76 is interposed beneath the plate 74 toinsure a fluid tight joint when the plate is clamped down, in almanner presently to appear. The plate 74 has a central opening 77 through which a valve 78-is arranged to operate to seat at 79 within a ring 80 fastenedby means of bolts 81 onto the top of the plate 74 about the opening 77. The valve 78 is preferably of soft rubber and somewhat resembles a fuller ball. The seat ring 80 therefor is preferably of hard rubber. We 'have found that these parts are not as subject to disintegration under the action bf the brine as are metallic par-ts andthere is not so much A central opening 7 3 is,

7 1n form, serves to retain the salt in the cham- *bBlHCOlIlGS into contact wit I tendency for the valve to stick. The valve 78 has the rubber body thereof clamped between plates 82 by a nut 83 on a stem 84. The latter extends downwardly into a socket 85 provided in a piston 86 operating within a cylinder 87 provided by a pipe 88 threaded, as at 89, into a frame90 cast integral with the plate 74 and depending into the brine chamber 70. The valve 78 is arranged to be lifted to the closed position, in which the same is illustrated in Fig. 5, by the piston 86 when .the latter is raised under hydraulic pressure in the cylinder 87, as .fully described in the Sweeney application above referred to. The hydraulic pressure is afforded by water entering the cylinder 87 from a pipe 91 which communicates with a cored passageway 92 leading through the frame 90 to the lower end of the pipe 88 in which the cylinder hard water displaces a corresponding volume of brine through a passageway. 94 out through a-pipe 95-communicating with the passageway. The passageway, it will be noted, is cored in the frame 90 and has open communication with the interior of the brine chan 1- ber 70 near the bottom wall thereof. The outlet for the brine is, therefore, at an appreciab'ly lower elevation in the brine chamber than the inlet for the fresh, hard water which, of course, is conducive to the most eflicient displacement of the brine by the incoming hard water. As soon as the, flow of fresh water is.cut off, the piston 86 drops and covers the ports 93and the valve 78 drops away from its seat 79 and finally comes to rest on top of the pipe 88, thus opening free communication between the salt chamber 69 and the brine chamber 70 through-the ring 80. A screen 96, suitably cylindrical ber '69 while allowing relatively free fluid circulation between the two chambers so that, in normal operation, when the valve 78 drops and opens communication between the two chambers, the fresh water '11 the brine chamthe salt and brine inthe lower end of the salt chamber anda natural circulationis induced due to the difference in the density between the brine chamber 7 Ois of substantially the same denof the pipe 91 and the valve 78 is closed under the pressure of the incoming water, a saturated brine solution will be expelled from the brine chamber by way of the pipe 95. The screen 96, it will be noted, is flared out over the top of the ring 80 so as to be held by the bolts 81 along with a cross-piece 97 which provides aguide at the middle thereof for the upper end of 'the stem 84. From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the cntirepvalve mechanism, together with the screen diaphragm, is installed as a unit in the brine tank compartment and it is accordingly a simple matter to assemble or disassemble the same.

The pipes 91 and 95, previously referred to, which provide the fresh water inlet and the brine outlet for the brine chamber 70 communicate with the pipes 33 and 34 by way of rubber hose connections 98 and 99, respectively. The hose 98 is clamped at one end, as at 100, onto the pipe 33. The pipe 33 for this purpose may be in the form of a suitable nipple. The other end of the hose 93 is clamped, as shown at 101, to a nipple 102 threaded into the top of a fitting 103. The nipple 102 communicates with one end of a cored passageway 104 provided in the fitting 103, the other end of which receives the upper end of the pipe 91. Similar connections are provided between the pipe 34 and the pipe 95 by way of the hose 99 and fitting 105. extended through notches 106 provided 'in the upper end of the wall 36. The purpose in the flexible hose connections is to obviate the necessity for making openings through the wall 36 below the elevationof a drain pipe 107 which communicates with the waste pipe 35. The making of such openings would necessitate special packing and there would always be the likelihood of at least slight leakage. The flexible hose connections are, furthermore, necessitated by reason of the fact that the pipes 91 and 95 are used in clamping the above described brine valve assembly in place on the. partition wall 68. This function necessitates having the fittings 103 and 105 capable of vertical movement with the plate 74 as the l atter is clamped in place. We provide anequalizer bar 108 for applying equal pressure to the diametrically opposite sides of the ring 74 through the pipes 91 and 95. The bar 108 has conical projections 109 received in conical depressions 110 in the fittings 103 and 105 whereby to position the pipes 91 and 95 for the application of an end thrust thereto transmitted by the tightening of a bolt 111. The latter is passed through an opening in the bar 108 and at its lower end receives a nut 112 seated in a socket 113 provided therefor in a cross-rod 114. The latter is received under a pair of lugs 115 cast integral with the wall 36. It will thus appear that the nut 112 is held against turning when the bolt The two hose connections are 111 is tightened and equalized pressure will be applied to'the upper ends of the pipes 9.1

ply is replenished. Usually some means is I provided to indicate the level of salt as, for

example, a follower resting on the salt bed and having a staff extending therefrom with a flag on the end of the staff visible above the brine tank, the level of the flag serving to indicate the amount of salt still on hand. f

Any suitable means may, however, be provided for that purpose.

In the operation of the softener, the hard water is supplied through the pipe 28, passes through meter 15 and from thence through the valve 13 into the pipe connection 30.

From here the water is led through the passageway 41 to' the bottom of the softener com- .partment. The water passes up through the diaphragm 43 where it is uniformly distributed throughout the cross-sectional area of the bed and passes up through the bed and out through the strainer 53 into the pipe connection 31 and from thence through the valve 13 into the service system by way of the pipe 32. The meter 15, as described in our copending application first above referred to,

operates whenever the water is passed therethrough and has connection with a part of the valve operating mechanism 14 to close the switch 23 aftera predetermined amount of water has been passed throu h the meter. Th setting of the indicator 3 made in ac cordance with the hardness of the Water to be softened, predetermines the capacity run,

When the switch 23 is closed, the motor 22 is I thrown into operation provided the auxiliary switch (not shown) arranged for manual or time controlled operation, is likewise closed to complete the motor circuit. These phases of the usual semi or fully automatic water softener operaton are fully described in the copending application referred to. 'When the motor is operated, the valve 13 is shifted through a predetermined angularity whereupon the motor circuit is broken. With the valve in its new position, the softener is thrown into regeneration and hard water.

from the pipe 28 passes through the valve 13 into pipe 33 and from thence through the hose connection 98 into pipe 91. The hard water is thereby injected into the brine chamber 70, as above described, and expels brine from said chamber. out through the pipe 95 and through its hose connection 99 into pipe 34, from whence the brine is conducted through registering ports inv the valve 13,

' through pipe 31 into the top of the softener compartment. The brine descends through the mineral bed and a chemical reaction, known as a base-exchange, occurs between the brine and the mineral as a result of which the mineral is restored from its exhausted condition. The waste water, containing calcium and magnesium assimilated by the mineral during softening, leaves the bottom of the softener compartment, passes upwardly through the passageway 41 and out through pipe connection 30 and through ports in the valve 13 into the waste pipe '35 leading to the sewer. Obviously, the amount of brine passed through is determined by the amount of hard water allowed to be injected into the brine chamber. This water is measured by the meter 15 and, after a predetermined amount has passed through the meter, the

valve operating mechanism 14 closes the switch 23 to throw the motor 22 into opera tion a second time. The valve 13 is thereby shifted to a new position for what is known as the washing or flushing operation. In this operation the hard water supplied from the pipe 28 is measured by the meter 15 as it flows into the valve 13, from which point it is directed into the pipe 30 for passage -upwardly through the softener compartment. Leaving the top of the softener, the waste water passes through pipe 31 and through the valve 13 out through the waste pipe 35 leading to the sewer. In this operation, the" mineral bed is thoroughly rinsed and any hard water which may be in the head space over the mineral is expelled and replaced by softened water so that at the close of the flushin g operation the softener is in condition for another capacity run and no hard water will be introduced into the service system. When a predetermined amount of water has been passed through the softener compartment for flushing, the valve operating mechanism 14 closes the switch 23 for a third operation of the motor 22, in which operation the valve 13 is shifted back to its initial postion for the softening op-eration.-

It is believed the foregoing description con veys a complete understanding of/our invention and of its many advantages over water softeners of the type heretofore available. Although we have described our invention as applied to one specific embodiment, it should be understood that it is capable of considerable variation in design and construction, as well as in the arrangement of parts. e are, therefore, not to be construed as limiting our invention to the details of the particular embodiment herein illustrated and described, but all legitimate modifications, adaptations, and variations of the invention as would naturally suggest themselves to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates are intended to be covered in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A water softener comprising a softener tank compartment and a brine tank compart ment, the brine tank compartment having a salt chamber and a brine chamber so related that brine is formed in the latter between regenerations, means for passing hard water through a bed of Water softening material in said softener compartment for softening, and means arranged during regeneration to supply Water to the brine chamber and to establish communication between the brine chamber .and the softener compartment whereby to pass brine through the softening material to regenerate the same, the two tanks being cast in one iunitary casting for maximum compactness and there being a cored passage in at least one wall of such casting utilized as a part of the flow system in the regenerating operation.

2. A water softener comprising a softener tank compartment and a brine tank compartment, the brine tank compartment having an open salt chamber and a closed brine chamber, the latter being open to the former only between regenerations so as to have brine produced therein, a bed of water softening material in the softener compartment, means for passing hard water through the soften ing materlal for softening, and means arranged during regeneration to force water into'the brine chamber to displace the brine therefrom, and to simultaneously establish communication between the brine chamber and said softener compartment to cause the forced passage of brine through the softening material to revive the same, the two tanks being cast in one unitary casting for maximum compactness and there being a cored passage in at least one wall of such casting utilized as a part of the flow system in the regenerating operation.

3. In a water softener, a cast tank for softening material, a bed of softening material therein, pipe connections with the upper end of said tank, said tank having a passageway cast in the wall thereof extending from the upper end to the lower end so as to communicate with the bottom of the bed, and pipe connections communicating with the upper end of said passageway.

4. In a water softener, a two compartment casting providing a water softener tank in one compartment and a brine tank in the other compartment, a bed of softening material in the softener compartment, valve mechanism for controlling fluid communications with said softener compartment and disposed above the latter. pipe connections between the upper end of said softener compartment and said valve mechanism, and between the latter and the upper end of said brine tank compartment, and a cored passageway provided in the wall of said softener compartment extending from the upper end to the lower portion thereof to afford communication between said valve mechanism and the lltt lower portion of said softener compartment, said valve mechanism with said pipe connections and passageway serving to conduct water through the softener compartment during softening and to complete connections for flow from said brine tank compartment and through and out from the softener coni partment in the operation of regenerating the bed of softening material.

5. In a water softener, a two compartment unitary casting providing a softener tank in one compartment and a brine reservoir in the other compartment, such construction serving to simplify making certain pipe connections for the two compartments and eliminate others by virtue of the provision of passages in the walls of said compartments.

In a water softener, a vertical softener tank and a vertical brine tank formedside by side as separate compartments of a uni tary casting, one of said tanks extending above the other tank, and control means including valve mechanism having communication with each of said tanks and disposed on top of the shorter tank, whereby the valve mechanism is conveniently arranged for connection with the top of the one tank and with the side of the other tank.

7. In a water softener, a vertical softener tank and a vertical brine tank formed side by side as separate compartments of a unitary casting, said brine tank extending above the height of the softener tank, control means including Valve mechanism having communication with each of said tanks and disposed on top of the softener tank, and an enclosing hood for said control means over said softener tank extending substantially to the same height as the brine tank.

8. In a water softener as set forth in claim 7 wherein said valve mechanism has pipe connections with the upper end ofsaid softener tankand pipe connections extend ing toward the adjoining side wall of the brine tank, the provision of a cored passageway in the wall of the softener tank extending from ,the upper end thereof to the lower end to afford communication between one of said pipe connections and the lower end of said softener tank. 1

9. In a water softener comprising a softener tank and brine tank provided as side by side compartments in a two compartment unitary casting, control valve mechanism on top of one of said compartments having pipe connections with. the upper ends of said compartments, and a cored passageway provided in the wall of one of said compartments extending from the upper end thereof to the lower end to afford communication between one of" said pipe connections and the lower end of said compartment.

10.-In a'water softener, a cast tank'for softening material, a bed of water softening material therein, means for supplying hard water to the lower end of said tank for passage upwardly through said softening material, a strainer element provided in an outlet opening in the side wall of said tank at the upper end thereof, said strainer element being arranged for removal from said tank, a hollow boss cast integral with the side wall of said tank into which said strainer element affords communication, pipe connections with ,said hollowboss for discharging softened water from said tank, and a removable plug afl'ording access to the inside of said hollow boss to permit the removal of said strainer element.

11. In a water softener, a tank for a bed of water softening material, means for admitting hard water to one end of said tank and for drawing off softened water from the other end thereof, a diaphragm in the lower end of said tank serving to support the bed of softening material, and means for mounting said diaphragm com rising an annular shoulder within said tank having said diaphragm resting thereon, a grid disposed over said diaphragm and having a rim portion disposed over the edges of said diaphragm over said annular shoulder, and a single bolt passing centrally through said grid and diaphragm and threaded into the bottom of said tank whereby to clamp the diaphragm between said shoulder and said grid about the edges thereof.

12. In a structure as set forth in claim 11,

wherein a second grid isprovided beneath said diaphragm with the top thereof approximatelvin the same plane as said annular shoulder.

13. In a structure asset forth in claim 11, wherein a second grid is provided beneath said diaphragm threadedly mounted on said bolt at the "center thereof and arranged with the top thereof adjusted to a height approximately in the same plane with the top of said annular shoulder.

a 14. In a water softener, a tank for a bed of water softening material, means for adinitting hard water to one end of said tank and for drawing on softened water from the other end thereof, a diaphragm in the lower end of said tank serving to support the bed of softening material, and means for mounting said diaphragm comprising an annular shoulder within said tank having said diaphragm resting thereon, a grid disposed over said diaphragm and having a rim portion disposed over the edges of said diaphragm over said annular shoulder, a single stud threaded in the bottomof said tank and extendin g upwardly centrally through said dia phragm and through said grid, a second grid threadedly mounted at the center thereof on i said stud and arrangedto be adjusted so that the top thereof is approximately in the same horizontal plane with said annular shoulder,

and a nut threading on the upper endof said stud to force the first mentioned grid downwardly against said annular shoulder and the second named grid whereby to clamp the diaphra gm therebetween centrally of the diaphragm and about the edges thereof.

15. In a Water softener, a softener tank and a brine tank cast integrally as a double compartment unit, a bed of water softening material in said softener compartment, means providing communication with the upper and lower ends of said softener compartment-,4

valve mechanism associated with said means to control the direction of fluid flow through said softener compartment, said brine tank compartment being cast to provide an upper open salt chamber and a lower closed brine chamber, valve means normally allowing communication between the salt and brine chambers to produce brine in the latter chamher, said valve means being arranged to be closed during regeneration to seal the brine chamber, and means providing a fresh water inlet connection and a brine outlet connection for said brine chamber to discharge the brine therefrom, said valve mechanism having connection with said means whereby to direct the brine through the softener compartment.

16. In a water softener, a softener tank and a brine tank cast integrally as a double compartment unit, a bed ,of softening mate rial in said softener compartment, means providing communication with the upper and lower ends of said softener compartment, valve mechanism associated with said means to control the direction of-fiuid fi w through said softener'compartment, said rine tank compartment being cast to provide an open salt chamber and a closed brine chamber, and means providing a fresh water inlet connection and a brine outlet connection for said brine chamber to discharge thebrine therefrom; said valve mechanism having connection with said means whereby to direct the brine through the softener compartment.

17. In a water. softener, a softener tank and a brine tank cast integrally in a double compartment unit, abed of water softening material in the softener compartment, valve mechanism disposed above the softener compartment to control the flow of water and brine for the two compartments. a pipe connection between said valve mechanism and the upper end of said softener compartment, a cored passageway provided in the casting of the softener compartment in the wall thereof extending from the top to the bottom to provide communication with the lower end of the bed of softening material, another pipe I connection between the upper end of said passageway and said valve mechanism, said brine tank being cast to provide an upper open salt chamber and a lower closed brine chamber,

' a fresh water inlet pipe and a brine outlet pipe extending through said salt chamber for communication at their lower ends with said brine chamber, and connections between said pipes and said valve mechanism whereby to provide communication between said brine chamber and said softener compart-t ment.

18. In a structure as set forth in claim 17 wherein the brine tank compartment extends above the softener compartment whereby the connections between the fresh water inlet and brine outlet pipes extend through a side wall of said brine tank compartment to said valve mechanism disposed over the softener compartment, and an enclosing hood for said valve mechanism and its appurtenant pipe connections mounted over said softener compartment and extending substantially to the same height as the brine tank compartment.

19. In a water softener, a-"softener tank and a brine tank ca'st integrally side by side in a double compartment unit, a bed of softening material in said softener compartment, valve mechanism for controlling water passage and brine passage connections with and between said compartments, means providing connections between said valve mechanism and the upper and lower ends of said softener compartment, said brine tank compartment having an upper open salt chamber 9 and a lower closed brine chamber, a valve arranged to provide communication normally between the salt and brine chambers whereby the produce brine in the latter chamber, said valve being arranged to be closed during regeneration, a screen for retaining the salt in the salt chamber, a frame providing a mounting for said valve and screen as an assembly unit andremovably mounted in the bottom of the salt chamber and closing an opening leading into the brine chamber, a fresh water inlet pipe and a brine outlet pipe connected with said frame'and communicating with the brine chamber, said pipes extending upwardly to the top of'the salt chamber and being arranged to serve in the placing of said frame in its assembled position or in the removal thereof, ineans for fastening said frame in place in its assembled position, and means providing connections between said pipes and said valve "mechanism whereby to afford communication between the brine chamber and the softened compartment.

20. In a structure as set forth in claim 19 wherein the means for fastening said screen and valve assembly frame comprises a part arranged to place 'the freshwater inlet and brine outlet pipes under endwise thrust to hold said frame in place.

21; In a structure as set forth in claim 19 wherein the means for fastening said screen and valve assembly frame comprises a partarranged to place the fresh water inlet and hold saidframe in place, and wherein the connections between said pipes and said valve mechanism are flexible to permit vertical movement of said pipes necessitated in the fastening of the screen and valve assembly frame.

22. In a structure as set forth in claim 19 wherein the means for fastening said screen and valve assembly frame comprises a part arranged to place the fresh water inlet and brine outlet pipes under endwise thrust to hold said frame in place, and a drain.outlet opening in the side wall of said salt chamber near the upper end thereof, said connections between said pipes and said valve mechanism comprising pieces of flexible hose extending through openings in the side wall of said salt compartment above the level'of said drain opening. )1

23. In a structure as set forth in claim 19,-

wherein said fresh water inlet and brine outlet pipes have connection with said screen and valve assembly frame at diametrically oppo site sides of the latter and wherein-the means for fastening said frame in place comprises an equalizer bar bearing aga nst parts fixed with respect to the upper ends of said pipes, and a clamping bolt bearing against the middle of said equalizer bar arranged when tightened to apply equal pressure endwise of said pipes to clamp said frame in place.

24. In a water softener brine tank, a double compartment receptacle providing an upper open salt chamber and a lower closed brine chamber separated by a partition wall, a plate closing an opening in said partition wall and having a valve seat defining an opening therein, a valve movable toward said seat to close said opening, a piston for operating said valve, 2. cylinder having said piston movable therein, a fresh water inlet'pipe connected with said plate, means for supporting said cylinder arranged to provide communication between said pipe and said cylinder whereby to supply fresh water to the latter to operate said piston, said cylinder having an opening in the wall thereof uncovered by said piston in the movement thereof whereby to discharge fresh water into said brine chamber, and a brine outlet pipe connected with said plate and communicating with said brine chamber.

25. In a structure as set forth in claim 24,

wherein said fresh water inlet and brine outlet pipes are arranged to serve in the placing of said plate in its assembled position or in the removal thereof. said pipes extending to a substantial height from said plate to the open top of said salt chamber, and means arranged to exert an endwise thrust on said pipes to hold said plate in position.

' 26. In a structure as set forth in claim 24,

i wherein said pipes are arranged to serve in the fastening of said plate in its assembled position and have connection therewith aft separated by a'partition wall, a valve assembly controlling communication between said chambers at an opening provided in said'partition Wall, means operated hydraulically for operating said valve, a fresh water inlet pipe and a brine outlet pipe communicating with said last mentioned means an having connection with the frame of said valve assembly whereby said pipes are arranged to serve in the placing thereof in its assembled position or in the removal thereof, said pipes being extended to a substantial height to the open top of said salt chamber, and means at the open top of said salt chamber arranged to exert a thrust on said pipes to hold said assembly in place. i

28. In a water softener, a vertical softener tank and a vertical brine tank formed side by side as compartments of a unitary casting, one of said tanks extending above'the height of the other tank, control means including valve mechanism having communication with said tanks and disposed on top of the shorter tank, and an enclosing hood for said control means over the shorter tank and extending substantially to the same height as the taller tank, whereby not only to conceal said control means but make the softener, as a whole, symmetrical in appearance.

29. In a water softener, a tank containing a bed of water softening material, means for supplying hard water to the one end of said tank for passage through said material, a closure wall for the upper end of said tank fastened suitably to the side walls thereof, a strainer element threadedly mounted in an opening in one of said walls at the upper end of said tank, and extending transversely of the top of the bed of water softening material, said strainer element being arranged 'to be unthreaded, when desired for removal from said tank, a hollow boss castintegral with the aforesaid wall enclosing said opening and having an opening in the side wall thereof opposite the aforesaid opening through which said strainer element is arranged to be removed endwise when unthreaded, pipe connections with said hollow boss for discharging softened water from said tank, and a removable plug closing the last mentioned opening.

30. In a water softener, a softener tank a bed of water softening material in the softener compartment, means providing communication with the upper and lower ends of said softened compartment, valve mechanism associated with said means to control the direction of fluid flow through said softener compartment, said brine tank compartment providing an open salt chamber and a closed brine chamber, valve means normally allowing communication between the salt and brine chambers whereby brine is produced in the latter chamber, said valve means being ar ranged to be closed during regeneration to seal the brine chamber, and means providing a fresh water inlet connection and a brine outlet connection for the brine chamber to discharge the brine therefrom, said valve mechanism having connection with said 1 means whereby to direct the brine through the softener compartment, the two tanks be ing cast in one unitary casting for maximum compactness and at least one wall of the casting intermediate the two compartments having a passage utilized as a part of the flow system in the operation of said last mentioned means.

31. A water softener as set forth in claim 30 including means associated with the fresh water inlet connection for the brine chamber arranged upon the injection of water into said chamber to automaticallyclose the valve means which otherwise allows communication between the salt and brine chambers.

32. In a water softener, a softener tank compartment and a brine tank compartment, a bed of water softening material in the softener compartment, means providing communication with the upper and lower ends of said softener compartment, valve mechanism associated with said means to control the direction of fluid flow through the softener compartment, said brine tank compartment.

providing an upper open salt chamber and a lower closed brine chamber, valve means normally allowing communication between the salt and brine chamber so as to produce brine in the latter chamber, a fresh water inlet pipe connection for said brine chamber, a brine outlet pipe connection for said brine chamber, and flexible hose connections between the valve mechanism and said pipe connections whereby to direct the brine discharged from the brine chamber through the softener compartment, the two tanks being cast in one unitary casting for maximum compactness and at least one wall intermediate the two compartments of said casting having passages provided therein for the extension thereaforesaid casing, said pipe connections extending upwardly to a point near the top of the salt chamber whereby to be conveniently accessible for the removal of the casing by means thereof.

34. A softener as set forth in claim 32 wherein the valve means controlling communication between the salt and brine cham-l bers is mounted in a removable casing and wherein the inlet and outlet pipe connections for said brine chamber are connected with the aforesaid casing, said pipe connections extending upwardly to a point near the top of the salt chamber-whereby to be conveniently accessible for the removal of the easing by means thereof, and a salt strainer on said casing and removable therewith for retaining salt in the salt chamber against entry past the valve into the brine chamber.

35. In a water softening apparatus, a tank containing a bed of water softening material, a salt tank having a brine chamber at the bottom thereof, there being an opening through which communication is arranged to be afforded between the brine chamber and the interior of the salt tank, a frame covering said opening, a valve mounted in said frame normally occupying an open position to permit the formation of brine in said chamber between regenerations, mechanism mounted on said frame having connection with said valve for operating the same to closed position, said also extending to anappreciable elevation in water inlet and brine outlet pipes to control communication for the softener tank with the supply and service pipes in normal soft ening operation and also communication between the softener tank and brine chamber and waste pipe during regeneration.

36. In a water softener brine tank, the combination of a container for a bed of salt having a brine chamber at the bottom thereof, there being an opening through which communication is afforded between the brine chamber and the interior of, the container, a frame covering said opening, a valve mounted in said frame normally occupying open position for the purpose of permitting the formation of brine in said chamber between regenerations, mechanism carried by said frame for operating said valve to closed position, said mechanism being -hydraulically operable, and a pair of pipes attached to and extending from said frame to an appreciable elevation in said container, the one pipe serving as a fresh water inlet and having communication with the hydraulically operated mechanism to accomplish the operation thereof, and the other pipe serving as a brine outlet for the chamber, said frame together with everything assembled thereon being removable and replaceable as a unit, and the two pipes serving as a means whereby the same is arranged to be removed and replaced.

37. In a device of the character described, a water softener tank containing a bed of water softening material a brine tank, the two tanks being provided as compartments of one container separated by a single parti-- tion wall for compactness and simplicity of construction, means for delivering hard water to the softener tank compartment to be softened, means for conducting the softened water away from said tank compartment, and means affording communication between the two compartments.

38. In a device of the character described,

a water softener tank containing water softening material, a brine tank for cooperation with the softener tank, the two tanks being provided as compartments side by side in a single container so that one side wall of one compartment serves also as a side wall for the other compartment, means for delivering hard water to the softener tank compartment,

means for conducting softened water from said compartment, and means for establishlng communication between the two comp-art- ,ments, said intervening wall having a passage utilized as a part of the system for flow of liquid from the brine tank through and from the softening tank. a

89. A water softener comprising, in a unitary container, a softener. tank compartment and a brine tank compartment, the brine tank compartment having a salt chainber and a brine chamber so related that brine is formed in the latter between regenerations, means for passing hard water through a bed of water softening material in the softener compartment, and means arranged during regeneration to establish communication between the brine chamber and the softener compartment whereby brine is passed through the softening material.

40. In a water softener, a tank containing.

a bed of water softening material, a distributor member beneath said bed for supporting and retaining the latter and arranged to have water passed therethrough, and means for mounting said distributor member compris ing an annular support having said member resting thereon at its outer edges, and a single bolt at the center of sand member servto clamp the same down on the annular support, there being a gasket between the annular support and the distributor member arranged in the tightening of said bolt at the center of the distributor member to be clamped uniformly.

42. In a Water softener, a softener tank and a brine tank made as two compartments of a unitary container, a bed of watersoften ing material in the softener tank, means providing communication with the upper and lower ends of said softener tank, valve mechanism associated with said means to control the direction of'fluid flow through said soft eher tank, the brine tank having an upper salt chamber and a lower brine chamber, the

said chambers being in communication be-,

tween regenerations so that brine is formed in the brine chamber, and means providing a brine outlet for said brine chamber for the discharge of brine therefrom, said valve mechanism having connection, with said means to direct the brinethrough the soften er tank.

43. A structure as set forth in claim 42 including a valve mechanism between the salt and brine chambers in the brine tank controlling communication between said chamhers, saidvalve mechanism beng arranged j to be removed from the brine tank, and the means pi oviding-abrine outlet for the brine chamber comprising a conduit attached to the valve mechanism and arranged to serve as a means for removing the valve mechae 3 nism.

i 44. In a water softener, a softening tank containing a bed of water softening material and having inlet means for admittmg water to the lower side of the bed and outlet means comprising a tubular outlet strainer arranged within the upper part of the tank across the bed, said tank having a tubular boss in line with said outlet strainer and communicating through said strainer with the interior of the l I .tank, said boss having a. removable closure at itsouter end and having an outlet connection between said closure and the strainer, and the said strainer being removably mounted in connection with an opening in the tank wall at the inner end of said boss and being bodily removable through said opening and boss when said end closure is removed.

45. In a water softener, a softening tank containing a bed of water softening material and having a tubular outlet strainer arranged within and extending transversely of the tank, said tank having inlet means for admitting water to the bed and having a tubular boss in line with said outlet strainer and communicating through said strainer with the interior of the tank, said boss provided at its outer end with a removable closure and having an outlet connection between said closure and the strainer, and the said strainer being removably mounted in connection with an opening in the tank wall at the inner end of said boss and being bodily removable through said opening and boss when the said closure is removed.

46. A water softener comprising a softener tank and a brine tank side by side with a common dividing Wall, one of said tanks having an upper extension beyond the top of the other, and a valved circulation means mounted over the shorter tankincluding pipes connected with the respective tanks and pipes for 0 connection respectively with water. supply,

service and drain pipes, said means operable to cause a fiow of water from the supply pipe through the softener tank to either the service or drain pipe and operable to cause a flow of brine from the brine tank through the softening tank to the drain pipe.

7 47. In a water softener, asoftener tank and a brine tank in an integral cast structure having a cored passage in a wall thereof, valved controlled connections by which to cause a flow of water through the softening tank, and valve controlled connections by which to cause flow of brine from the brine tank through and from the softening tank, the said passage being utilized as a common flow passage in both flows. r

48. In a water softener, a softener tank and abrine tank in an integral cast structure em bodying said tanks as side by side vertical compartments and embodying as a part of said structure a common wall dividing said tanks, said-wall having a cored vertically extending passage communicating at itslower end with the softening tank.

49. In a water softening apparatus, a brine tank in which salt is dissolved, said tank having a salt chamber and a subjacent brine chamber, a frame removably mounted in said tank having a normally open passage through which the salt chamber communicates with the brine chamber, a valve mounted in said frame and operable to close said passage, a water inlet pipe and a brine outlet pipe con nected to said frame and extending upwardly being in communication with the brine cham ber, saidframe and parts carried thereby being removable as an assembled unit.

50. In a water softening apparatus, a brine tank in which salt is dissolved, said tank hava ing a salt chamber and a subjacent brine chamber, a frame removably mounted in said tank having a normally open passage through which the salt chamber communicates with the brine chamber, a valve mounted in said,

frame and operable to close said passage, a water inlet pipe and a brine outlet pipe connected to said frame and extending upwardly through the salt chamber, said frame having a cylinder in communication with said inlet pipe, a piston in said cylinder operable by the pressure in said pipe to close the said valve, there being aport or ports in said cylinder controlled by said piston to be normally closed and to be opened when the piston operates to close said valve, and said outlet pipe being in communication with the brine chamber, said frame together with said pipes and parts carried by the frame being removable as an as sembled unit, and means including an equalizer bar connected with said pipes exerting an equalized downward thrust thereon to hold I the said frame in place.

In witness of the foregoing we affix our through the saltchamber, said frame having a cylinder in communication with said inlet pipe, a piston in said cylinder operable by the pressure in said pipe to close the said valve, there being a port or ports in said cylinder controlled by said piston to be normally closed and to be opened when the piston operatesto close said valve, and said outlet pipe 

